Even medievalists with no interest in Cambrai should know about the series of which this
book is a part: the
Cambrai was an important textile city in the Middle Ages (hence the origin of Cambric cloth), located on the Scheldt River (known locally as the Escaut). Given the turbulent history of the territory of Lotharingia, the bishop was also a count, not unlike the neighboring bishop-prince of Liège. The diocese of Cambrai was surprisingly large, running from Cambrai itself, north by northeast, through Brussels, to the city of Antwerp and beyond. The diocese was also unique, subject to the French Archbishop of Reims, but located in the lands of the Holy Roman Emperor. In addition to its size, the cathedral at Cambrai was wealthy, supporting 50 prebendal canons, six dignitaries, and the bishop-count. Unfortunately, the Gothic cathedral was destroyed during the French Revolution. Add to that the destruction from both the First and Second World Wars, and nothing remains of the church, the episcopal palace, or the canons’ quarter.
Given the absence of physical remains, this book represents an impressive act of
reclamation. Author-compiler Monique Maillard-Luypaert provides a nice discussion of the
Gothic cathedral--its layout, the location of numerous chapels, of several of the
canons’ domiciles, and of the chapter library--all from archival materials. Her
treatment of the cathedral library is especially remarkable, including short biographies
of almost 100 canons (and others) who donated books to the library, mentioning even the
titles of the books. Even more impressive are the full notices about each of the
bishops. Moreover, each episcopal entry is garnished with a bibliography, to say nothing
of the book’s own bibliography
Probably the best-known of Cambrai’s bishops is Pierre d’Ailly (1397-1412) who tried
valiantly to reunite the Church during the Great Schism, and was a recognized scholar,
theologian, and preacher. Maillard-Luypaert adds to this account Pierre’s many attempts
at reform within his own diocese. Indeed, with this volume one can identify and trace
the careers (but sometimes merely the existence) of hundreds of dignitary and
non-dignitary canons, which prebends they held, which archdeaconries they served, and
who preceded and followed in those positions. Also, when the material is available, the
volume identifies family connections, which individuals were collated by the papacy, and
what positions were held in plurality including at other cathedrals. Thus, indices at
the end of the volume include lists of canons organized by last name (their first names
are the main entries of the volume), by benefice, by positions in other cathedrals
(including even those outside France), by position chronologically arranged (e.g., the
archdeacons of Brabant), etc. For researchers who want to combine information from
Cambrai with other dioceses, they can apply for access to the Fasti database, as well as
finding other information about the series at
It will surprise no one that the bishops of Cambrai were often at odds with their city, as well as with their own cathedral chapter. Absenteeism was another form of disruption, thus Guy of Boulogne didn’t visit his episcopal see during the first 11 years of his pontificate (1324-1335), while Jean of Burgundy (1439-1480) preferred to live in Brussels with his mistress and illegitimate offspring. Maillard-Luypaert does not mince words: “Jean aimait l’argent, le luxe, les richesses materielles. Il était rapace et avare.” Still, a number of bishops took their pastoral duties seriously, reforming houses of canons, monks, and nuns.
In sum, this book is an impressive achievement, fully researched and well documented. As
part of the
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Notes:
1. Completed volumes: Agen, Amiens, Angers, Autun, Auxerre, Besançon, Bordeaux, Cambrai, Châlons-en-Campagne, Chalon-sur-Saône, Clermont, Évreux, Mâcon, Mans, Mende, Narbonne, Poitiers, Reims, Rodez, Rouen, Sées, Sens, Toul, and Troyes.
2. Among her publications are: